PAGCOR rolls out new accreditation framework for iGaming support services
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) announced a new regulatory framework that will extend formal oversight to third-party service providers supporting licensed eGaming and iGaming operators.
In a memo obtained by 8gfg.shop and dated 30 April, PAGCOR’s Electronic Gaming Licensing Department outlined its plan to accredit a wide range of business-to-business entities. These include payment processors, Know-Your-Customer (KYC) solution providers, game content suppliers, and customer support vendors, many of whom have, until now, operated outside PAGCOR’s direct purview.
PAGCOR’s Board of Directors approved the regulatory framework. The agency said it also reflects the direction and leadership of the PAGCOR Chairman and CEO, Alejandro Tengco.
Redefining industry structure
The regulatory changes also include a reclassification of companies previously labelled as Gaming System Service Providers. Under the new framework, the service providers will now be known as Gaming System Administrators. According to PAGCOR, the adjustment is to clarify the functional roles within the ecosystem, helping to streamline oversight and enforce a more uniform understanding of operational responsibilities.
PAGCOR said the reclassification is part of the agency’s broader strategy to enhance regulatory clarity and standardise business practices across the sector.
Accreditation comes with new compliance obligation
Entities affected by the upcoming rules will be subject to a new set of requirements. These include formal application processes, the payment of non-refundable fees, and the submission of a performance cash deposit. The new framework will spell out implementation timelines, transition measures, and compliance obligations in greater detail. Firms that fail to meet the new standards could lose the ability to engage with PAGCOR-licensed operators.
Market implications and industry outlook
The regulatory shift is expected to have lasting implications for the Philippine gaming sector. Legal observers have pointed out that this has been in development for some time and is likely to reshape how service providers interact with the market. For many companies, early preparation will be critical to avoid disruptions and secure their position within the regulated ecosystem.
In a LinkedIn post, legal expert Marie Antonette Quiogue, founder of Arden Consult, said the latest memo is a “significant shift in how support service providers and gaming affiliates will be regulated in the Philippines.”
“For the first time, entities like KYC providers, game aggregators, payment gateways, and others servicing licensed inland eGaming/iGaming operators will be subject to formal accreditation,” Quiogue said. “This has been in the works for some time—and will have wide-ranging implications for those supporting the regulated ecosystem.”
